SEN

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday. As he departed Washington, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, and a 21-gun salute was fired in his honor. The ceremonial send-off drew attention as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods described as non-sensitive, following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on consumer products such as small appliances, toys and holiday items, and markets are watching for official confirmation and further details.

New polling on the Texas Senate race is circulating widely, with voters and commentators weighing in on where the contest stands. The discussion centers on candidate standings and whether recent surveys signal a shift in the race's trajectory. The seat is closely watched given its potential impact on the balance of the US Senate.

The European Union has announced 710 million euros in new humanitarian aid for people affected by natural disasters and conflicts worldwide. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a large share of the funding is earmarked for Africa. The package responds to growing humanitarian needs driven by climate-related catastrophes and ongoing wars.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to proceed with an overhaul of its immigration database, ruling over dissents from the Court's liberal justices. The decision lands weeks before the US midterm elections, and immigration advocates and critics are debating its potential impact on data used in enforcement and voter-related checks.

A new report says the Charlotte Hornets are trading guard Buddy Hield to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Rob Dillingham. The news, carried by NBA coverage on nba.com, points to a deal swapping a proven veteran shooter for a young guard. Further details on picks, salary matching or a timeline were not included in the initial report.

Former staffers of Mary Peltola have raised allegations of hostile workplace behavior, and Alaska observers are weighing how the claims could shape the state's closely watched US Senate race. The story, reported by the Anchorage Daily News, comes as the contest is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country, with Peltola's personal image a central part of her political appeal.

A sitting US senator from Texas has publicly taken aim at a fellow Republican who is running to succeed him, delivering a pointed jab in the intraparty contest for his seat. The exchange highlights growing friction in the Texas Republican primary, as party figures jockey over the senator's political legacy and the direction of the seat once he steps aside.

Brighton hosted Arsenal in a Premier League fixture, with extended match highlights released through the club's official channels and drawing a large audience. Fans are discussing the key moments, goals and talking points from the match as Arsenal continue their league campaign and Brighton look to upset one of the division's top sides.

DARPA is developing a robotic spacecraft designed to service and repair satellites in geosynchronous orbit, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The program, detailed by IEEE Spectrum, would extend the lives of expensive communications and military satellites that currently cannot be fixed once deployed. Interest is focused on the engineering challenges of robotic repair at such extreme distances and its implications for space operations.

Lansing, Michigan has begun mailing out roughly 23,000 absentee ballots to voters ahead of the November election. The mailing marks the start of the absentee voting process in the city, with residents who requested ballots now able to receive and return them by mail, drop box, or in person at the clerk's office.

Two senior FBI agents have been removed from their positions following an internal investigation into alleged harassing phone calls made to Katie Miller, the wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller. The case has drawn attention given the political sensitivity surrounding the Trump adviser and questions about conduct inside the bureau's senior ranks.

Used bookstores in Japan are seeing a surge in bulk purchase orders, with roughly 50 tons of secondhand books shipped to buyers in the United States, according to Nippon TV. The report highlights growing overseas demand for Japanese used books, though it does not specify who the buyers are or what kinds of books are being purchased.

The US Senate voted down a war powers resolution that sought to limit or rebuke President Trump's military actions against Iran. The measure was an attempt by lawmakers to force a debate and vote on congressional authority over the use of military force. Details beyond the headline are limited, so reaction and the breakdown of the vote are not clear from the available posts. The story is being shared under war-related news coverage.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says he is confident that highly sensitive government information is protected by top-level security measures against breaches involving artificial intelligence. His comments address growing concerns about whether AI systems could expose classified material held by government departments, as agencies worldwide grapple with the security risks posed by rapidly evolving AI technology.

A survey reported by Plant Based News suggests most health professionals believe key plant foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. The finding adds to ongoing debate among nutrition experts about whether national recommendations reflect current evidence on legumes, nuts, whole grains and other plant-based staples. Advocates for plant-forward diets are citing the result to push for updated guidance.

At Vogue World: Milano, robots were sent down the runway alongside models, a choice made by the event's creative director Juan Costa Paz. Washington Post columnist Shane O'Neill examines the spectacle, raising the question of why machines featured in a fashion showcase and what it says about fashion's growing embrace of technology and spectacle.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said that people warning of an AI apocalypse 'have ulterior reasons', pushing back against prominent voices predicting catastrophic outcomes from artificial intelligence. Huang's remarks add to an ongoing debate between AI industry leaders who see the technology as an economic opportunity and critics who argue its risks are being downplayed for commercial gain.

A special election in Townsend has been postponed due to a problem with the ballot. Details on the exact nature of the ballot issue and the new election date have not yet been made clear in the available reports.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran is facing deepening economic isolation as Washington pressures other countries to reduce or cut their economic ties with Tehran. The comments point to a renewed American push to squeeze Iran's economy through diplomatic and financial pressure, and the remarks are drawing attention as observers weigh how far the US campaign will go and how other governments will respond.

A senior Presidential Envoy has voiced support for strengthening emergency preparedness in South Sudan following Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The backing, highlighted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, signals concern that South Sudan's health system could be tested if the outbreaks spread, and puts focus on readiness measures, surveillance and cross-border coordination in the region.

An Indiana senator is calling for the U.S. Space Academy to be located at Grissom, advancing the state's bid for the new national space institution. The proposal puts the former air reserve base in the running as debate over the academy's home draws interest from multiple states, with supporters citing Indiana's aerospace ties and existing infrastructure as reasons it should be chosen.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar has introduced H.R. 10505, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026, in the US House of Representatives. The bill would reauthorise existing US conservation programmes that fund protection of tropical forests and coral reefs abroad. Further details on the bill's provisions and its prospects in Congress were not immediately available.